Product application wand

ABSTRACT

A product application device includes a wand having a rod and a brush operably coupled with the rod. The rod includes a rod longitudinal axis and the brush includes a brush longitudinal axis. A housing defines a reservoir arranged to receive at least a portion of the brush of the wand. A cap is operably coupled with the wand and arranged for removably coupling with the housing. The brush longitudinal axis is offset from the rod longitudinal axis.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present application is related to a product application device, and more particularly, to a cosmetic product application device.

BACKGROUND

Mascara packages generally include a first half defining a reservoir containing the cosmetic product, and a second half providing a removable wand and brush for applying the cosmetic product. When the mascara is closed for storage, the brush and wand are disposed inside a first half, and the first and second halves are coupled so that the brush and wand do not separate from the first half. A user separates the second half from the first half by removing the wand and brush from the reservoir, and in doing so, an interior wiper may remove some of the product disposed on the brush before the brush is completely removed from the first half. The user may then apply some of the remaining product disposed on the brush to eyelashes and/or eyebrows, and then may return the brush into the first half to collect more product or to store the mascara for later use.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a product application device includes a dual-application brush suitable for voluminous and high precision application and an intuitive cap and housing to ensure optimal application.

In accordance with a first aspect, a product application device may include a wand including a rod and a brush operably coupled with the rod. The rod may include a rod longitudinal axis and the brush may include a brush longitudinal axis. A housing may define a reservoir arranged to receive at least a portion of the brush of the wand. A cap may be operably coupled with the wand and arranged for removably coupling with the housing. The brush longitudinal axis may be offset from the rod longitudinal axis.

In accordance with a second aspect, a wand for a product application device may include a rod and a brush. The brush may include a base and a plurality of bristles extending from the base. The wand may include a teardrop cross-sectional shape defined by a first portion of bristles and a second portion of bristles. The first portion may define a first contoured profile and a second contoured profile perpendicular relative to the first contoured profile, and the second portion may define a different contoured profile.

In accordance with a third aspect, a brush of a product application wand may include a base having a circumference and a longitudinal axis. The brush may include a plurality of bristles extending in a radial direction from the base. The plurality of bristles may include first and second non-overlapping portions that extend around the circumference of the base. The brush may include a first asymmetrical cross-section and a second asymmetrical cross-section perpendicular to the first asymmetrical cross-section. The first and second portions of the plurality of bristles may at least partially define the first and second asymmetrical cross-sections.

In further accordance with any one of the first, second, or third aspects, a product application device, wand, and/or brush may include any one or more of the following forms.

In one form, the brush may define a teardrop cross-sectional shape.

In some forms, brush may include a base, a first portion of bristles, and a second portion of bristles extending outwardly relative to the base.

In these and other examples, the first portion of bristles may define a contoured portion of the teardrop cross-sectional shape.

In some forms, the second portion of bristles may define a round portion of the teardrop cross-sectional shape.

In an alternative form, the first portion of bristles may have an average length that is greater than an average length of the second portion of bristles.

In one form, a ratio of length of the first portion to length of the second portion may be in a range of approximately 1:1 to approximately 3:1.

In some forms, the brush may have a first asymmetrical cross-section and a second asymmetrical cross-section perpendicular relative to the first asymmetrical cross-section.

In some examples, the reservoir of the housing may have a non-cylindrical shape.

In some forms, the housing may have a housing abutment surface and the cap may have a cap abutment surface.

In one form, the housing abutment surface may be adapted for positioning adjacent to the cap abutment surface.

In some forms, the housing abutment surface may have a cross-sectional shape that matches a cross-sectional shape of the cap abutment surface.

In many forms, the cross-sectional shape of the cap abutment surface may be a teardrop.

In one form, the bristles may be constructed from fibers operably coupled with a base constructed from wire.

In these or other forms, a brush longitudinal axis may be offset from a rod longitudinal axis.

In some forms, the first portion of bristles may include a plurality of rows having varying lengths extending from the base.

In another form, the second portion of bristles may include a plurality of rows having approximately uniform lengths extending from the base.

In another form, the first asymmetrical cross-section may be at least partially defined by the first portion of bristles and may include a contoured profile.

In other examples, the first asymmetrical cross-section may be at least partially defined by the second portion of bristles and may include a second contoured profile.

In another form, the second asymmetrical cross-section may be at least partially defined by the first portion of bristles and the second portion of bristles.

In yet another form, the second portion of bristles may define a third contoured profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a product application device assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the product application device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a profile, cross-sectional side view of a brush of the product application device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a profile, cross-sectional front view of the brush of the product application device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional front view of the product application device of FIG. 2 , taken at A-A;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional front view of the product application device of FIG. 2 , taken at B-B;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the product application device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top view of the product application device of FIG. 1 , taken at C-C of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 8A is a magnified, cross-sectional top view of the product application device of FIG. 8 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, a product application device 10 is provided. The product application device 10 of FIG. 1 includes a dual-application brush 14 suitable for high precision application, and an intuitive cap 18 and housing 22 to ensure optimal application. A wand 26 is operably coupled with the cap 18 and includes a rod 30 and the brush 14 operably coupled with the rod 30. The housing 22 defines a reservoir 34 sized to contain a cosmetic product (not illustrated) and to receive at least a portion of the brush 14 of the wand 26. A wiper 36 is coupled with the housing 22 and is disposed within an opening 38 of the housing 22. The cap 18 serves also as a handle of the wand 26, and is arranged for removably coupling with the housing 22.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 , the brush 14 and the rod 30 of the wand 26 are shown in more detail. The brush 14 includes a base 40 and a plurality of bristles 42 extending radially from the base 40. The plurality of bristles 42 includes a first portion 44 and a second portion 46 of non-overlapping bristles 42. As shown in FIG. 2 , the first and second portions 44, 46 extend around a circumference 48 of the base 40 in a plurality of rows. The first and second portions 44, 46 of bristles 42 at least partially define two different and perpendicular asymmetrical cross-sections of the brush 14, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , and will be described in more detail below.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first portion 44 defines a first contour 50 having a generally elliptical profile, and the second portion 46 defines a relatively straight edge 52 of generally shorter bristles 42 of uniform length. In a slightly different variation, the brush 14 in FIG. 3 includes a second portion 46 of bristles 42 defining a second contour 54 having an elliptical profile, as well. As such, both the first and second portions 44, 46 of the brush 14 in FIG. 3 include bristles 42 of varying lengths. However, in both aspects shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a length L1 of the bristles 42 of the first portion 44, is longer than a length L2 of the bristles 42 of the second portion 46. The length L1, L2 of the bristles 42 of the first and second portions is roughly measured from a longitudinal axis X of the rod 30, which is offset from a longitudinal axis Y of the brush 14 by a length Z. In other examples, the first contour 50 and/or the second contour 54 may have an oblong, curved, and/or otherwise askew profile. In yet other examples, the length Z may be 0 so that the longitudinal axis X of the rod 30 is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis Y of the brush 14.

FIG. 3 depicts a first asymmetrical cross-section of the brush 14 about the brush longitudinal axis Y, and FIG. 4 illustrates a second asymmetrical cross-section of the brush 14, that is perpendicular relative to the first asymmetrical cross-section of FIG. 3 . The second asymmetrical cross-section is at least partially defined by the first portion 44 and the second portion 46 of bristles 42. The first portion 44 of bristles 42 at least partially defines the third contour 58, which is a narrow, peaked portion of the teardrop shape, and the second portion 46 at least partially defines a rounded, bulbous portion of the teardrop shape. In other examples, the bulbous portion may actually be angular to provide a triangular, rather than teardrop, cross-sectional shape.

FIG. 4 illustrates how each portion 44, 46 of the bristles 42 extends beyond a circumference 62 of the rod 30. As previously mentioned, the brush longitudinal axis Y is offset from the rod longitudinal axis X by the length Z. The first portion 44 includes bristles 42 of varying lengths, with a longest bristle length L1 from the rod longitudinal axis X. The second portion 46 includes bristles 42 of varying lengths relative to the rod longitudinal axis X, but has more uniform lengths relative to the brush longitudinal axis Y. So configured, a moon-shape area of the second portion 46 of bristles 42 extends beyond the circumference 62 of the rod 30 a distance H in a direction perpendicular to the rod longitudinal axis X, and includes a width W1, also in a direction perpendicular to the rod longitudinal axis X. The bristle length L1 of the first portion 44 may in a range of approximately 2 mm to approximately 8 mm, approximately 3 mm to approximately 7.5 mm, approximately 4 mm to approximately 7 mm, and preferably approximately 6 mm. The bristle length L2 of the second portion 46 may in a range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm, approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 4 mm, approximately 2 mm to approximately 3.5 mm, and preferably approximately 3 mm. An average ratio of length L1 of the first portion 44 to length L2 of the second portion 46 is in a range of approximately 1:1 to approximately 4:1, and preferably approximately 3:1.

The varying lengths of the bristles 42 of each portion 44, 46 affects the amount of cosmetic material that is captured by the bristles 42 when the brush 14 is removed from the housing 22. When the brush 14 is removed from the housing 22, the bristles 42 pass through an opening of the wiper 36, which is coupled with the housing 22 via any number of suitable approaches. The opening of the wiper 36 has a diameter at least equal to a diameter D of the rod 30 of the brush 14. As shown in FIGS. 4-6 , the bristles 42 that extend beyond the circumference 62 of the rod 30 will engage the wiper 36 when the wand 26 passes through the opening of the wiper 36 and out through the opening 38 of the housing 22. Any material disposed on the bristles 42 extending beyond the circumference 62 of the rod 30 contacts the pliable material of the wiper 36, and is at least partially removed from the bristles 46. Thus, more cosmetic material is removed from the first portion 44 of the bristles 42 than the second portion 46 because the length L1 of the bristles 42 of the first portion 44 is greater than the length L2 of the bristles 42 of the second portion 46.

So configured, because the second portion 46 retains more cosmetic material upon removing the brush 14, the second portion 46 of the brush 14 may be used for loading purposes, and the first portion 44 of the brush 14 may be used for separation and definition purposes while applying the cosmetic material. With the shorter bristles 42, the second portion 46 of the brush 14 will retain more cosmetic material and therefore may better load cosmetic material onto a person's eye lashes. The slight curvature of the second contour 54 of the second portion 46 matches the curvature of a person's eye lid to better reach all lashes of the upper and lower lids. After enough material is loaded onto the person's lashes, the first portion 44 of the brush 14 is used to separate and define the eye lashes. The longer bristles 42 of the first portion 44 have less cosmetic material from the wiping action of the wiper 36, and therefore act to separate the painted lashes. The greater curvature of the first contour 50 of the first portion 44 is shaped to reach the lashes in the corners of one's eye. In some cases, the bristles 42 of the first portion 44 may be of a stiffer material to better separate and define the lashes.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6 , two different cross-sections A-A and B-B, respectively, of the device 10 illustrate the different rows of bristles 42 extending from the base 40 of the brush 14. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 illustrates an example row 66 disposed at a lowest point of the first contour 50 of the first portion 44 of bristles 42. A row of bristles extends radially outward from and around the circumference 48 of the base 40. The variation in length L2 (identified by arrow V) of the first portion 44 of bristles 42 is shown behind the example row 66. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 , for example, illustrates a second example row 70 disposed at one of the highest points of the first contour 50 of the first portion 44 of bristles 42, and at a proximal end 74 of the brush 14. As previously described and now shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the portion of the bristles 42 that extend beyond the circumference 62 of the rod 30 will contact the wiper 36 when the brush 14 is removed from the reservoir 34.

In the illustrated example, the base 40 includes a twisted wire that captures a plurality of fiber bristles 42 that spiral around a length of the base 40 from the proximal end 74 to a distal end 78. However, in other examples, the base 40 and bristles 42 may be made from extruded plastic, and the bristles 42 may extend in parallel rows, rather than a spiral configuration. A combination of different material, thickness, stiffness, density, coarseness of the bristles 42 may be utilized to achieve a particular function for the brush 14.

Also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is the generally teardrop cross-sectional shape of the housing 22 and cap 18 of the device 10. The cap 18, which also serves as the handle to the brush 14, includes a teardrop cross-sectional shape with a first surface 88 and a second surface 92 that define both a rounded portion 96 and a narrow portion 100. The narrow portion of the cap 18 defines a peak that corresponds to the peak of the bristles 42 defined by the first portion 44 of the brush 14. The first and second surfaces 88, 92 slope towards the peak 100 of the cap 100, and may serve as gripping surfaces for a person's fingers (e.g., a thumb and an index finger). Similarly, the housing 22 also includes a teardrop cross-sectional shape, and defines a teardrop cross-sectional reservoir 34. The housing 22 includes a first surface 104 and a second surface 108 that define both a rounded portion 112 and a narrow portion 116. When the housing 22 and the cap 18 are secured, the narrow portion of the housing aligns with the narrow portion of the cap and the round portion of the housing aligns with the round portion of the cap. While the cross-sectional shape of the brush 14, housing 22, and cap 18 correspond to a similar teardrop shape, in other examples, the brush 14, housing 22, and cap 18 may have different cross-sectional shapes. For example, the housing 22 and the cap 18 may be cylindrical, rectangular, or prismatic. In another example, the brush 14, housing 22, and cap 18 may have a triangular or diamond cross-sectional shape.

As shown in FIGS. 7, and 8 , the cap 18 and the housing 22 are secured in the storage position with the wand 26 disposed in the reservoir 34. The housing 22 has a housing abutment surface 120 and the cap 18 has a cap abutment surface 124. The housing abutment 120 surface is adapted for positioning adjacent to the cap abutment surface 124 and having a cross-sectional shape that matches a cross-sectional shape of the cap abutment surface 124. The matching cross-sectional shapes of the abutment surfaces as well as the smooth engagement of the surfaces 120, 124 ensure that the cap 18 is fastened properly to the housing 22.

In FIGS. 8 and 8A, a fastening mechanism 126 between the cap 18 and the housing 22 is more clearly illustrated. The housing 22 includes a neck 130 at a proximal end 132 (opposite a distal end 134) that is threadably coupled to a collar 138 of the wand 26. The collar 138 includes interior threads 142 that matingly engage with external threads 146 of the neck 130 of the housing 22. To removably couple the cap 18 from the housing 22, the cap 18 is rotated relative to the housing 22 about the rod longitudinal axis X, separating the cap abutment surface 124 from the housing abutment surface 120, until the internal and external threads 142, 146 disengage. As the cap 18 decouples from the housing 22, the wand 26 rotates about the rod longitudinal axis X in a first direction R. The reservoir 34 is shaped to gradually widen from the distal end 134 of the housing 22 to the proximal end 132 of the housing to allow for the first portion 44 of bristles 42 to rotate without contacting an interior wall 150 of the housing 22. In the illustrated example, the reservoir 34 has a teardrop cross-sectional shape, however, in other examples, the reservoir 34 may be cylindrical or non-cylindrical. The cap 18 is secured back to the housing 22 by engaging the collar 138 and the neck 130 and rotating the cap 18 relative to the housing 22 in a direction T, opposite direction R, about the rod longitudinal axis X until the abutment surfaces 120, 124 engage and are aligned. In other examples, the fastening mechanism 126 may be a different type of removable coupling, such as, snap-fit, friction-fit,

Turning back to FIG. 8A, the collar 138 is attached or integrally formed with a proximal end 154 of the rod 30, opposite the brush 14, and is fixed to an interior portion 158 of the cap 18. The interior portion 158 of the cap 18 may be fixed to the collar 138 by snap fit, frictional fit, adhesive, fusion welding, or other suitable approaches so that the cap 18 and the wand 26 move together as a unit. The neck 130 of the housing 22 defines the opening 38, and is secured to a rigid flange 162 of the wiper 36. A body 166 of the wiper 36 extends from the flange 162 and into the opening 38 defined by the neck 130, and curves inwardly relative to the rod longitudinal axis X. The body 166 of the wiper 36 is pliable to permit the rod 30 of the wand 26 to slide out of the reservoir 34 of the housing 22, and flexibly wipe cosmetic product from the bristles 42 of the brush 14. The wiper 36 is secured to the neck 130 of the housing 22 by snap fit, frictional fit, adhesive, fusion welding, or other suitable approaches so that the flange 162 remains attached to the housing 22 when the body 166 of the wiper 36 engages the brush 14.

The product application device 10 of the present disclosure provides a number of benefits for cosmetic application. These benefits include the shape and function of the brush, the off-set orientation of the brush relative to the rod, and the corresponding cross-sectional shapes of the brush, cap, and housing.

Specifically, the brush has two main bristles portions that provide two separate functions of loading product onto a person's eyelashes, and separating and defining the painted eyelashes after loading. The elliptical contours of the bristles corresponds with the natural outer contour of a person's eyelid from which eye lashes grow. The shape of the contours of the brush reach corner eyelashes. The second portion defines the loading function of the brush and the first portion defines the separating feature of the brush. With less product on the longer bristles, a user may more precisely separate and define the painted eyelashes without adding more product to the eyelashes.

Offsetting the axis of the brush and the rod allows the second portion or the loading portion of the brush to have shorter bristles. Shorter bristles allows the loading step to be less-intrusive and easier for the user to control when applying cosmetics close to one's eye. With shorter bristles, a person may achieve more precision than if the bristles were long and extended far from the base. Shorter bristles, allows for the second portion of the brush to be more dense, optimizing the brush for collection of cosmetic product.

The shape of the housing and cap as it corresponds with the cross-sectional shape of the brush inherently instructs the user for proper self-application. When a person's thumb and index finger grip the narrow portion of the cap, the device is in a separation position. When the person's thumb and index finger grip the rounded portion of the cap, the device is in a loading position. In other words, the narrow portion of the cap also indicates the orientation of the separating portion of the brush. As such, the user will know the orientation of the brush just by gripping the cap.

It is appreciated that the product application device may be used to apply any number of various cosmetic products, hair care products, body care products, and/or skincare products such as, for example, a mascara product.

Finally, although certain applicator devices have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, while the disclosed applicator devices have been shown and described in connection with various examples, it is apparent that certain changes and modifications, in addition to those mentioned above, may be made. This patent application covers all examples of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents. Accordingly, it is the intention to protect all variations and modifications that may occur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.

The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s). 

What is claimed:
 1. A product application device comprising: a wand including a rod and a brush operably coupled with the rod, the rod having a rod longitudinal axis and the brush having a brush longitudinal axis; a housing defining a reservoir arranged to receive at least a portion of the brush of the wand; and a cap operably coupled with the wand and arranged for removably coupling with the housing; wherein the brush longitudinal axis is offset from the rod longitudinal axis.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush defines a teardrop cross-sectional shape.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the brush includes a base, a first portion of bristles, and a second portion of bristles extending outwardly relative to the base, the first portion of bristles defining a contoured portion of the teardrop cross-sectional shape and the second portion of bristles defining a round portion of the teardrop cross-sectional shape.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first portion of bristles has an average length that is greater than an average length of the second portion of bristles.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein a ratio of length of the first portion to length of the second portion is in a range of approximately 1:1 to approximately 3:1.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush has a first asymmetrical cross-section and a second asymmetrical cross-section that is perpendicular relative to the first asymmetrical cross-section.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir of the housing has a non-cylindrical shape.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing has a housing abutment surface and the cap has a cap abutment surface, the housing abutment surface being adapted for positioning adjacent to the cap abutment surface and having a cross-sectional shape that matches a cross-sectional shape of the cap abutment surface.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the cap abutment surface is a teardrop.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the bristles are constructed from fibers operably coupled with a base constructed from wire.
 11. A wand for a product application device, the wand comprising: a rod; a brush including a base and a plurality of bristles extending from the base; a teardrop cross-sectional shape defined by a first portion of bristles and a second portion of bristles; wherein the first portion defines a first contoured profile and a second contoured profile perpendicular relative to the first contoured profile, and the second portion defines a different contoured profile.
 12. The wand of claim 11, wherein a brush longitudinal axis is offset from a rod longitudinal axis.
 13. The wand of claim 11, wherein the first portion of bristles has an average length that is greater than an average length of the second portion of bristles.
 14. The wand of claim 11, wherein the brush has a first asymmetrical cross-section and a second asymmetrical cross-section that is perpendicular relative to the first asymmetrical cross-section.
 15. The wand of claim 11, wherein the first portion of bristles includes a plurality of rows having varying lengths extending from the base.
 16. The wand of claim 11, wherein the second portion of bristles includes a plurality of rows having approximately uniform lengths extending from the base.
 17. A brush of a product application wand, the brush comprising: a base having a circumference and a longitudinal axis; a plurality of bristles extending in a radial direction from the base, the plurality of bristles including first and second non-overlapping portions that extend around the circumference of the base; a first asymmetrical cross-section; and a second asymmetrical cross-section perpendicular to the first asymmetrical cross-section; wherein the first and second portions of the plurality of bristles at least partially define the first and second asymmetrical cross-sections.
 18. The brush of claim 17, wherein the first asymmetrical cross-section is at least partially defined by the first portion of bristles and includes a contoured profile.
 19. The brush of claim 18, wherein the first asymmetrical cross-section is at least partially defined by the second portion of bristles and includes a second contoured profile.
 20. The brush of claim 19, wherein the second asymmetrical cross-section is at least partially defined by the first portion of bristles and the second portion of bristles, the second portion of bristles defining a third contoured profile. 